H.S. softball: Ramsey icon set the bar high

The three little kids in Heather Layng's house in Wyckoff don't know that their mother was one of the greatest softball pitchers in North Jersey history.

Ramsey's Heather Layng (nee Wilson) was the first to 99 wins.

"They have some idea. I have some albums and they've looked through them, and I think my state game is on VHS somewhere. But all they really know is that Mom used to whip her arm around pretty fast and be the pitcher for Ramsey High School," Layng said with a laugh.

Back then, Heather Wilson (Layng is her married name) was the face of North Jersey softball. Her 1991 team finished 32-0 and won the triple crown of conference, county and state titles. She graduated in 1992 with a North Jersey-record 99 career wins, which was tied Tuesday by Immaculate Heart's Steph Thomas.

After college, Layng gave pitching lessons and coached at Midland Park.

When her three children were born – the oldest is 9 – she stepped back from that part of her life.

She has never met Thomas or seen her pitch, but was hoping to reach out to her as she closes in on the new North Jersey record.

"I would tell her to absorb every minute and enjoy the ride, because this is happening because of all the hard work she's put in," Layng said. "She absolutely deserves this, because to get to this level, I understand the hard work she has put in without even knowing her, and I wish her luck in setting this record."

Layng, who turned 40 Monday, recently resumed giving pitching lessons. She discovered her arm still has some zip in it.

"I started working with a family last week and the dad said to me that I should throw a few, but before that, it had been awhile," Layng said. "I was pretty concerned that my arm would be sore, but I think I was OK."

"They have some idea. I have some albums and they've looked through them, and I think my state game is on VHS somewhere. But all they really know is that Mom used to whip her arm around pretty fast and be the pitcher for Ramsey High School," Layng said with a laugh.

Back then, Heather Wilson (Layng is her married name) was the face of North Jersey softball. Her 1991 team finished 32-0 and won the triple crown of conference, county and state titles. She graduated in 1992 with a North Jersey-record 99 career wins, which was tied Tuesday by Immaculate Heart's Steph Thomas.

After college, Layng gave pitching lessons and coached at Midland Park.

When her three children were born – the oldest is 9 – she stepped back from that part of her life.

She has never met Thomas or seen her pitch, but was hoping to reach out to her as she closes in on the new North Jersey record.

"I would tell her to absorb every minute and enjoy the ride, because this is happening because of all the hard work she's put in," Layng said. "She absolutely deserves this, because to get to this level, I understand the hard work she has put in without even knowing her, and I wish her luck in setting this record."

Layng, who turned 40 Monday, recently resumed giving pitching lessons. She discovered her arm still has some zip in it.

"I started working with a family last week and the dad said to me that I should throw a few, but before that, it had been awhile," Layng said. "I was pretty concerned that my arm would be sore, but I think I was OK."